Man covering mouth and stomach with his hands while experiencing heavy metal poisoning symptoms

Heavy metal poisoning symptoms: key points to know

Medically reviewed by Neka Miller, PhD on January 21, 2021. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

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Excessive exposure to certain chemical elements can be dangerous. Heavy metals are one class of chemical elements that can contribute to some severe and sometimes life-threatening issues. Knowing the symptoms to look out for may help you protect your health against the effects of heavy metal toxins. Continue reading to learn more about the signs and symptoms of heavy metal poisoning, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and more.

Related: Effects of Heavy Metals on the Body

What is heavy metal poisoning?

Heavy metals are a category of elements in the periodic table. The term refers to naturally-occurring metallic elements that are especially dense (in other words, they are “heavy for their size” compared to many other elements). Examples of heavy metals include copper, platinum, mercury, and lead.

Heavy metals have a wide range of applications in various industries, including medicine, agriculture, and even food. In fact, your body naturally contains heavy metals that are necessary for basic bodily functions, including zinc, copper, and iron.

Heavy metal poisoning can happen when you absorb too much of any particular heavy metal toxin. This can occur with potentially any metal if it is present in high enough quantities. However, the four most common heavy metals that can get absorbed in toxic amounts are:

  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Mercury

Under normal circumstances, it can be difficult to absorb significantly high concentrations of those four heavy metals, but they can be present in food, pollution, and more. Most often, heavy metal poisoning occurs over a long period of time, like working in an industry where you are consistently exposed to a heavy metal toxin without the proper protective gear.

Heavy metal toxicity symptoms

In the United States, heavy metal poisoning is relatively rare. Yet as rare as it is, it can help to know the possible signs and symptoms in case you or someone you know is affected by it. Heavy metal poisoning symptoms can vary based on the metal, but some general symptoms that overlap through most instances of excessive exposure to heavy metals include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Tingling sensation in the hands and feet
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden chills
  • Weakness and fatigue

Children may experience bone deformities or generally weak bones. Heavy metal poisoning during pregnancy can potentially contribute to premature births or miscarriages.

Along with the above, different metals can also exhibit their own specific symptoms, as described below.

Arsenic poisoning symptoms

Arsenic is commonly used in chemical pesticides and certain industrial applications. Overexposure to arsenic compounds can lead to drowsiness, headaches, confusion, and seizures. It can also contribute to neurological symptoms, including significant brain damage, nerve disease in your extremities, and a breakdown of the fatty layer covering nerve fibers, known as the myelin sheath.

Arsenic poisoning can also affect the skin, resulting in a collection of arsenic in the soft layers just below the skin, known as edema. Arsenic accumulation can also cause white bands extending across the fingernails. Some people may experience bad breath odors that smell like garlic.

With chronic arsenic exposure—usually a result of working in environments where the heavy metal toxin is common—people may experience a significant weakening of muscles and muscle aches, along with chills and a fever. They may also exhibit hardened patches of skin on their palms and feet, known as hyperkeratosis, as well as unusual darkening or reddening of the skin and scale-like inflammation. These symptoms can occur between two and eight weeks after initial exposure.

Inorganic arsenic, which can be found in soil, sediment, and groundwater, can accumulate in the liver, kidneys, lungs, and digestive tract. While the symptoms may be similar to the above, inorganic arsenic operates slightly differently, leaving a residue within your organs, along with common tissues like skin and hair. Acute inorganic arsenic poisoning can cause gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea), muscle spasms, severe burning in the throat and mouth, and abdominal pain.

Cadmium poisoning symptoms

Cadmium is found in batteries, vapor lamps, electroplating, and some soldering products. Symptoms of cadmium poisoning can occur as soon as two to four hours following exposure. Accumulation of cadmium can lead to muscle pain and lung issues, including:

  • Emphysema (a progressive loss of lung function)
  • A buildup of fluid in the lungs
  • Breathlessness

Cadmium poisoning can also lead to kidney damage that is characterized by:

  • High levels of protein in the urine
  • Changes to liver function
  • Softening of bones

Lead poisoning symptoms

Lead is most commonly found in lead-based paint items, which can include toys. It may otherwise be found in art supplies and contaminated dust. Although lead gets stored in the bones, the toxic metal can have severe effects on every organ as well as mental functions. Symptoms can also vary based on your age and the severity of exposure.

In children, lead poisoning symptoms can develop over three to six weeks. Heavy lead exposure can cause kids to suddenly become sluggish, less playful, clumsier, or more irritable. It may also contribute to:

  • A lack of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Slurred speech
  • Fluctuations in kidney function
  • Low levels of iron in the blood, which can appear as unusually pale skin

Some children may experience significant behavioral or learning problems, including sudden deficiencies in cognitive function and coordination.

In adults, lead poisoning can lead to:

  • Low iron levels
  • High blood pressure
  • Damage to reproductive organs
  • Insomnia and general sleep issues
  • Reduced muscle strength
  • Increased irritability
  • Hallucinations
  • Mental and behavioral changes (such as depression, anxiety, or increased hostility)

Mercury poisoning symptoms

Mercury is a naturally occurring metal found in soil and water. This means that small amounts of mercury eventually finds its way into certain food products. While that amount is usually not enough to cause alarm, some foods contain more mercury than others.

Mercury poisoning is most commonly attributed to consuming too much methylmercury, an organic form of mercury found in seafood. Eating high amounts of seafood over an extended period of time may contribute to mercury poisoning symptoms.

Mercury poisoning usually occurs over a long period of time. It can result in:

  • Increased irritability
  • Memory issues
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Tremors
  • Shyness
  • Numbness

In adults, mercury poisoning may also contribute to:

  • Sudden speech and hearing difficulties
  • Muscle weakness
  • A lack of coordination
  • Loss of feeling in the face and hands
  • Sudden, significant vision changes
  • Trouble with walking and mobility

High levels of mercury exposure can also have severe effects on early childhood development. Young children and infants who have been exposed to high levels of mercury may experience delays in fine motor skills, cognition, spatial awareness, and language development later on in life.

Diagnosing and treating heavy metal poisoning

Healthcare providers perform a variety of diagnostic tests to determine if you are suffering from any form of heavy metal poisoning, and whether a heavy metal detox is necessary. Common tests to diagnose heavy metal toxicity and determine its severity include:

  • Complete blood count tests
  • Kidney function tests
  • Urinalysis
  • Imaging tests
  • Electrocardiogram
  • Liver function tests

For milder cases of heavy metal toxicity, eliminating exposure is usually enough to treat symptoms and flush the accumulated metals from the body. In severe cases of chronic exposure, healthcare providers may prescribe chelation therapy. This involves the use of drugs that bind to heavy metals and speed up their elimination from the body.

How do you get mercury poisoning?

7 common mercury poisoning symptoms

Cadmium poisoning: causes and symptoms

References

1. Heavy Metal Blood Test. MedlinePlus. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

2. Heavy Metals. StatPearls [Internet]. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

3. Heavy Metal Poisoning. National Organization for Rare Disorders. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

4. How People are Exposed to Mercury. United States Environmental Protection Agency. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

5. Choose Fish and Shellfish Wisely. United States Environmental Protection Agency. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

6. Heavy metal poisoning. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. URL. Accessed January 21, 2021.

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